Motorcycle longevity

FastDoc · 01-24-2013, 03:59 PM

A couple of pics off the Gold Wing forum. The thread was about how many miles people have on their bikes. None of these people did anything to the motor other than routine maintenence.

Some people reported more than 500,000 miles but did not have pictures. One guy reported 1,200,000 miles but that was on an older 4 cylinder model. That one was also reported to be original.

I don't think I'll wear mine out in a lifetime, or at least as much life as I have left. :roll:

katoranger · 01-24-2013, 04:27 PM

I thought the second picture was the dash of a car.

FastDoc · 01-24-2013, 04:38 PM

Nope. All different Gold Wings. The instrument panel has changed a little over the years, these are mostly older models, but 2001 and later.

MICRider · 01-24-2013, 07:20 PM

That is absolutely incredible! Heck, most cars don't make that kind of mileage, I love the GW's, my uncle swears that they are the best bikes in the world

.

**cheesy** · 01-24-2013, 07:47 PM

I'd be happy to get half that out of the CX.

Not a GW, nor a motorcycle, but the 1995 F150 that resides in my driveway.

At 357000+ now.

SpudRider · 01-24-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

I thought the second picture was the dash of a car.

It is a two-wheel car; it's a Gold Wing.

Spud

katoranger · 01-25-2013, 08:47 AM

The benz was over 400K and still going. I don't have a pic. You rarely see a bike in the US with over 50K on it.

SpudRider · 01-25-2013, 09:44 AM

My Zong has 53,000 miles on the odometer.

Spud

katoranger · 01-25-2013, 10:23 AM

I know. How many people have a small displacement high mileage bike. My toyota just hit 85K. I plan to drive it til death do us part. Hopefully that will be a long while considering all the automotive life support I can provide.

FastDoc · 01-25-2013, 11:42 AM

The GW motor is very overengineered and understressed. It has fairly low compression, low specific output, and a low redline. All these things make it reliable and long lived. It also has no vibration. Heck a small electric fan vibrates more than a GW. It is not very powerful for its size, 125 HP and 1850cc. 600cc sportbikes make more power on 1/3 the displacement.

Also GW's they tend to be owned by responsible people, usually old retired fogies with lots of money and time. They take care of the bikes and ride them very far, without crashing or racing.

I read an article in a motorcycle mechanics magazine the engine was designed for 300,000 internal service intervals.

Another key to getting a lot of mileage is to ride a lot. Sitting is also bad for a machine. Bikes are worn by time and use and disuse. Out of these disuse may be the worst.

Witness Spud's Zong. A quality machine that sees a huge amount of use and is well maintained. High mileage.

Compare it to the usual run of the mill heap we see on CL with 5,000 miles that barely runs.

Part of it is the product, part is the end user.

onecooldon · 01-25-2013, 07:09 PM

Kato treat it well and it will last, 91 SR5 4wd 3.0 v6 toyota pickup 235,? miles and still going strong!!

FastDoc · 01-25-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheesy

I'd be happy to get half that out of the CX.

Not a GW, nor a motorcycle, but the 1995 F150 that resides in my driveway.

At 357000+ now.

Awesome truck, Cheesy!

On the Ranger Forums I see people with similar mileage but mine gets used so little (only towing and bad weather commuting for the most part) that it will never get close.

I have 105,000 miles and drive less than 3,000 miles a year.

FastDoc · 01-25-2013, 07:21 PM

Older Toyotas and Benzes are beautifully made and last forever if cared for. The Benz in particular, especially the diesels.

I used to say about the Benz, "They are expensive but you only need one". 8)

katoranger · 01-26-2013, 10:04 AM

1983 300D. It had alot of problems due to PO neglect, but it ran. It got me around on vegetable oil for many miles. It was a fun project, but the little things added up all the time. Next time I will use a car in better condition.

**cheesy** · 01-27-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Awesome truck, Cheesy!

On the Ranger Forums I see people with similar mileage but mine gets used so little (only towing and bad weather commuting for the most part) that it will never get close.

I have 105,000 miles and drive less than 3,000 miles a year.

She'd have a lot more if I hadn't bought the Jeep to ease up on it. I keep it around because it's a PITA to haul a 4x8 sheet a plywood or six bicycles in the Wrangler.

01-24-2013, 03:59 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Motorcycle longevity A couple of pics off the Gold Wing forum. The thread was about how many miles people have on their bikes. None of these people did anything to the motor other than routine maintenence. Some people reported more than 500,000 miles but did not have pictures. One guy reported 1,200,000 miles but that was on an older 4 cylinder model. That one was also reported to be original. I don't think I'll wear mine out in a lifetime, or at least as much life as I have left. :roll: __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

01-24-2013, 04:27 PM	#2
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I thought the second picture was the dash of a car. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

01-24-2013, 04:38 PM	#3
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Nope. All different Gold Wings. The instrument panel has changed a little over the years, these are mostly older models, but 2001 and later. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

01-24-2013, 07:47 PM	#5
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,823	I'd be happy to get half that out of the CX. Not a GW, nor a motorcycle, but the 1995 F150 that resides in my driveway. At 357000+ now. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
	0

01-25-2013, 08:47 AM	#7
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	The benz was over 400K and still going. I don't have a pic. You rarely see a bike in the US with over 50K on it. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

01-24-2013, 07:20 PM	#4
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	That is absolutely incredible! Heck, most cars don't make that kind of mileage, I love the GW's, my uncle swears that they are the best bikes in the world .
	0

01-25-2013, 09:44 AM	#8
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	My Zong has 53,000 miles on the odometer. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

01-25-2013, 10:23 AM	#9
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I know. How many people have a small displacement high mileage bike. My toyota just hit 85K. I plan to drive it til death do us part. Hopefully that will be a long while considering all the automotive life support I can provide. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

01-25-2013, 11:42 AM	#10
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	The GW motor is very overengineered and understressed. It has fairly low compression, low specific output, and a low redline. All these things make it reliable and long lived. It also has no vibration. Heck a small electric fan vibrates more than a GW. It is not very powerful for its size, 125 HP and 1850cc. 600cc sportbikes make more power on 1/3 the displacement. Also GW's they tend to be owned by responsible people, usually old retired fogies with lots of money and time. They take care of the bikes and ride them very far, without crashing or racing. I read an article in a motorcycle mechanics magazine the engine was designed for 300,000 internal service intervals. Another key to getting a lot of mileage is to ride a lot. Sitting is also bad for a machine. Bikes are worn by time and use and disuse. Out of these disuse may be the worst. Witness Spud's Zong. A quality machine that sees a huge amount of use and is well maintained. High mileage. Compare it to the usual run of the mill heap we see on CL with 5,000 miles that barely runs. Part of it is the product, part is the end user. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

01-25-2013, 07:09 PM	#11
onecooldon Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 16	Kato treat it well and it will last, 91 SR5 4wd 3.0 v6 toyota pickup 235,? miles and still going strong!!
	0

01-25-2013, 07:21 PM	#13
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Older Toyotas and Benzes are beautifully made and last forever if cared for. The Benz in particular, especially the diesels. I used to say about the Benz, "They are expensive but you only need one". 8) __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

01-26-2013, 10:04 AM	#14
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	1983 300D. It had alot of problems due to PO neglect, but it ran. It got me around on vegetable oil for many miles. It was a fun project, but the little things added up all the time. Next time I will use a car in better condition. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0